An upcoming walk and silent auction for celiac disease awareness and research will benefit the Celiac Disease Center at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The Gluten Free Gang, a support group for adults, children and their families with celiac disease, will host the event called the Boot’N Gluten Walk and Silent Auction.

The event will be held Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the Antrim Metropolitan Park, located at 5800 Olentangy River Road in Columbus. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and is $35 per person or $70 per family, and includes a t-shirt, bottled water and gluten free snacks.

Celiac disease affects approximately one out of every 133 people, about 3,000,000 people in the U.S. Once diagnosed, people with celiac disease follow a strict gluten free diet to stay healthy.

“Many people living with celiac disease are not yet diagnosed, so education for physicians and the public are of utmost importance,” said Tracy Ediger, MD, pediatric gastroenterologist Nationwide Children’s and honorary chair of the walk and silent auction. “The funds raised from this event will help Nationwide Children’s Celiac Disease Center diagnose and treat patients living with celiac disease.”

For more information about the Boot’N Gluten Walk and Silent Auction, please contact chair of the walk, Collin Show at thecollinshow@aol.com or Mary Kay Sharrett, MS, RD, CNSC, LD, at Mary.Sharrett@NationwideChildrens.org.

About the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at Nationwide Children’s
Ranked consistently as a top digestive disorders program by U.S.News & World Report, the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition provides comprehensive patient care for a broad range of gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional problems. With more than $5 million in external research funding relating to gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition, Nationwide Children’s is a national leader in the generation of new knowledge relating to these fields. The GI program has a long history of contributions to laboratory, clinical and translational research, and continues to be on the cutting edge of research in a broad array of areas.

The Celiac Disease Center, one of the GI Division’s signature programs, provides comprehensive care to children with celiac disease, as well as their families. The goal of the center is to offer accurate and timely diagnosis, educate families on dietary changes necessary for treatment, and provide ongoing care for optimal health and wellbeing. The diverse, multidisciplinary team includes pediatric gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, pathologists, pharmacologists, nutritionists, nurse practitioners, nurses and social workers. Groundbreaking quality improvement initiatives are a cornerstone of the Celiac Disease Center. Quality and outcome tracking help provide the best possible care, and advance understanding and treatment of celiac disease.